Akula
| AKULANS | |
| File:Akula.PNG Akula |
Genus: Selachimorpha Sapiens Central Authority: The Akulan Democratic Union (a vassal state of the Soatii) Quote: |
| Homeworld: | Azulea |
| Language: | Te Velu Akko |
| System: | Azulea |
| Average Height: | X |
| Lifespan: | X years |
| Breathes: | Oxygen |
Basic Description
It is not often that we on this side of the Galaxy are afforded a chance to elaborate on any subjects of the Soato Dominion, let alone their most staunch loyalists, but here we are. I must say it was a surprising move on the part of the Dominion; they are known to be a bit secretive. Regardless, it is here we will discuss the qualities and history unique to a most proud race, the Azuleans, Selachimorpha Sapiens, or as they are known in our part of the galaxy, the Akulas.
Biology
Azulean physiology is eerily similar in nature to the humble Earth shark, a fact that at times both fascinates and perturbs the Azulean peoples. Their evolutionary pattern seems to have favored these shark-like features, which helps them easily navigate their homeworld and its dangers.
Shark-like Features
It is incredibly curious how closely the Azulean mirrors the sharks of Earth. They possess the same proper qualities of the Selachimorpha subdivision of the Neoselachii clade, teeth rooted in the gums and easily replaced, cartilaginous, though dense, skeleton, fins, the iconic tail, and a jaw unattached to their cranium. Just as well, their physiology is very similar to their nonsapient Earth counterparts as well, with their buoyant oil-filled livers, their complex gill system, their chloride-gathering rectal gland, and their cold-blooded thermoregulation. However, their anatomy has evolved a more amphibious and bipedal shape, and they differ in several key ways: They do not have the rough dermal denticles of the Earth sharks, they are capable of breathing in both air and water mediums, and they are sufficiently able to swim in both freshwater and saltwater environments with no issue to their health. These evolutionary shortcomings seem to have been discarded by the Azuleans in their march toward sapiency, allowing them a much broader reach and much more abundant habitability, although there seems to be no proper explanation for the replacement of their dermal denticles with a more rubbery, smooth skin akin to dolphins.
Curiously enough, Azuleans are also capable of consuming saltwater with no ill effects, which is healthy for their rectal glands.
Semi-Hydrophilic Skin
The Azuleans seem to have developed a rubbery, smooth skin that has limited capability to retain water for a time on land. Once this retained water has exhausted itself, the skin begins to dry, losing some of that smoothness, and producing an uncomfortable feeling. This is why the Azuleans have developed what they call “Shoredress”, a form of suit meant to retain water to keep Azulan skin hydrated. However, with their exposure to the galaxy at large, many Azuleans, predominantly younger ones, tend to forego shoredress in favor of frequent baths or showers, to the confusion and disappointment of their elders.
The Azulean Reproductive System
Yet again, it is here that the Azuleans also mirror their distant Earth cousins. Male Azuleans tend to possess two reproductive organs resembling mammalian penii known by their Earth denotation, claspers, which they use to practice internal fertilization. Only one of these claspers are used to fertilize, so there are some Azulean males who undergo cosmetic surgery to remove the second clasper, especially those males seeking partners of another species.
Of special note is the fact that there is a sizeable presence of hermaphrodites in Azulean society, which they have normalized to a degree not found in Humanity. In addition to this, in rare times of scarcity of potential mates, Azulean females, like their Earth cousins, are shown to be capable of asexual reproduction via parthenogenesis. This is an incredibly rare event. The most well documented cases of parthenogenesis in Azulean society have been the births of several monarchs, where the mothers of these monarchs refused any and all potential mates in fear of sullying their lineage. This dangerous practice led to several Azulean monarchs developing negatively, resulting in genetic deformities in both the mind and the body.
The Azulean Diet
Azuleans unsurprisingly tend to be rather adamant carnivores, and are capable of eating meat both raw and cooked without issue. They favor a diet consisting primarily of seafood, with the occasional sea vegetation added purely for flavor, not as the meal itself. It is for this reason that Azulean vegetarians and vegans are a very, very small minority, and seen as very confused and pitiable by Akulan society.
Communication and Language
Te Velu Akko: Translating to 'The Song of The King,' this language was singlehandedly invented and promulgated by the third King of Agurkrral, Akko the Uniter. Records show that the King had personally created it so that those with little education, including aliens, could integrate easier with Azulean society. To this end, the language is known for its rapid pace of learning, the written portion being readily mastered within two weeks, a tongue characterized by hard consonants followed by soft vowel strings. An underwater component exists, fleshed out and codified by deepwater reformists in the later portions of Akko the Uniter's life; featuring great emphasis on close physical proximity, variations of pitch, high-frequency sounds, and clicking. Alien tourists frequently either seek temporary genemods, or specialized organisms that dwell in the throat to be able to speak this portion., Differences exist in dialect between the Old Worlds and New Worlds; The Old sounds far slower and smoother, words flowing into each other in a very melodic way; befitting of the language's name. The New is much faster, more harsh, and more aggressive in an attempt to be more efficient; however, rapidly adopting new loanwords from alien tongues. A common greeting no matter where one is in Agurkrral is to essentially bump noses, allowing the other Azulean to feel the speaker's bioelectric field.
